The Urban Wetland Perth Cultural Centre

The Urban Wetland Perth Cultural Centre

The Urban Wetland Perth Cultural Centre

About the project

The Perth Cultural Centre has recently undergone a major transformation as part of a revitalisation project led by the Western Australian Government’s urban renewal agency, MRA (Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority). The project represents an exciting and ambitious approach to creative place making that integrates innovative landscape design with strong sustainability objectives, including the creation of a constructed wetland feature that provides significant biodiversity benefits in the heart of the CBD.

As the principal designer, Josh Byrne & Associates (JBA) transformed an existing 300m2 inefficient water feature into an educational, habitat-providing amenity, that can be sustained with less water and power whilst eliminating the need for chlorine. It is now a natural bio-filtered wetland showcasing Perth’s diverse wetland flora and fauna.

The existing structure was retained for the pond, whilst gravel and sand was salvaged from the demolition of other works on site and used as the filtration and growth medium within the new wetland. The pump was replaced with a more efficient one, consuming less than half the power.

Storm water enters the Wetland via run off and roof catchment, passing through the filtration systems before being discharged to Perth’s storm water system as clear, clean water. The freshwater wetland includes plant and animal species once common throughout the Perth CBD area prior to the development of the city.

The end result has been hugely successful, and this beautiful self-sustaining wetland is used by many people as a wetland oasis full of frogs and insects. School groups are now using the space as a real life classroom, learning about nature first hand during on-going fauna release days. An island stage can also be used by groups for concerts and demonstrations.

The Perth Cultural Centre – Urban Wetland was recognised at the 2011 Landscapes Industry Association (LIAWA) Awards of Excellence as the winner of the Sustainable Landscapes category.